Mabamba Swamp – ( The birder’s haven )
"Mabamba Swamp - ( The birder's haven )"
Mabamba Bay Wetland Sanctuary
Mabamba Wetland Sanctuary, Eco-cystem is an (IBA) Important Bird Area, located along the showers of Lake Victoria, near Entebbe. This is a papyrus fringed and marshy wetland extending through Mabamba landing site and Bussi Highland to the main water body of Lake Victoria. The site is only about 50 kilometers Kampala, driving through a dirty road, through Nakawuka and Kasanje towns.
The Mabamba eco-system protects more than 230 bird species including the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) as the main tourist attraction in the IBA site. Also among the specialties of the sanctuary are the Blue Swallow (Hirundoatrocaerulea), the Lesser Jacana, Papyrus Gonolek, Orange & Wyne’s Weaver, Black Egret, Papyrus Yellow Warbler, White-backed Duck, Goliath Heron and the African Marsh Harrier among others.
This wetland eco-system is thought to host approximately 38% of the global population of the Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea), as well as the globally-threatened Papyrus Yellow Warbler and other birds of global conservation concern. The site supports a lucrative fisheries activity and is a source of fish for home consumption and commercial use, as well as of raw material for local crafts, building materials, water for domestic and livestock use, and non-wood products. Factors needing attention are the dry season incursion into the swamp by fishermen; hunting of the Sitatunga by local people; the proliferation of the Water Hyacinth; and the poaching of Shoebill. The proliferation of flower farms along the shores of Lake Victoria and the use of agrochemicals is likely to have an impact. Nature Uganda spearheaded the development of a National Important Bird Areas Conservation Strategy (NIBACS) that highlights measures and strategies for the conservation of the Bay. Ramsar site no. 1638. Most recent RIS information: 2006.
